Cute li'l top I bought for $3 at Marshall's.At the risk of being thrown out of the frugal blogging community, I've decided to share thoughts on clothes purchasing. I love thrift shops and yard sales. LOVE. But not for clothes. Now, that doesn't mean that I don't give it a try. I have zero problems with secondhand clothing if I could find some that I like. And that, my frugal friends, is the problem. I am a picky wearer of clothing. Gasp! And much of what is available to me secondhand is not to my taste.
I want to make the argument that you CAN find clothes frugally in retail stores. For example, in the last six months I have purchased lined wool pants for $5, sundresses for $3, casual tops for $3 and under, and so on. These were all on sale racks in regular stores. You just have to know where and how to shop.
Stores with some of the best sales for cheap cheap cheap:
1) J.C. Penney- wait until they have green clearance stickers
2) Express- wait until their clearance is an additional % off
3) Marshalls and T.J. Maxx- depending on location; some get hit worse than others
4) Rue 21- you'll have to look past the navel-baring tops and pregnancy-smock looking tops to the normal-looking items on the clearance racks
5) Old Navy- wait until there is an extra % off of clearance
6) Outlet malls (seriously!)- go straight to the clearance racks, and make sure you check online for printable coupons before you go.
7) Target- look at their 75% off racks
8) For the occasional pricier buy, I like J. Crew sales (wait for an additional 20% off clearance AND a free shipping code) and Neiman Marcus Last Call Clearance (wait for a free shipping code). I assure you, these are occasional. ;)
I also sign up for mailing lists to favorite stores and have two store credit cards that offer free shipping, gift cards, and gifts on my birthday. Several times a year I get $10 off any purchase coupons for J.C. Penney. I'm also going to get a similar coupon from Van Heusen for taking a survey.
This doesn't mean that I will stop searching through thrift store racks any time soon. Sometimes they yield great stuff, like a recent Liz Claiborne no-iron cotton button down for seventy-five cents. If you can't seem to find those deals as often as you'd like, start stepping into retail stores. You might be surprised at what you find.
5 comments:
I think it is really hard to find clothes at yards sales/thrift stores too. I am not horribly picky, but I won't buy and wear something just because it was 50 cents.
Tessa,
I'm looking for a frugal shopper to interview for a story I'm researching on thrifty living and you seem to be perfect.
I'd like to talk to you directly.
Paul Adler
KY3
padler@ky3.com
This is a great post! I totally agree - you can find great stuff at retail stores too, if you look in the right places.
I am happy to have found your blog through Meredith's.
My husband is currently working on completing his dissertation too, so I feel your stress! Good luck. :)
Jennifer
I, too, struggle to find clothes I like, or especially that fit me (I'm petite) at yard sales/thrift stores, and even TJ Maxx can be daunting.
I have recently discovered Kohl's and found some great 80% off end-of-season stuff. I got a nice cardigan for $4 and even some nice in-season tops for under $10 at a big sale day.
My problem, I think, is that I either a) want to buy my entire wardrobe at once or b) only go shopping when I absolutely need something and then I buy the first thing I find that fits. Eek. You post is reminding me to always be on the lookout for good deals and shop sparingly! Thanks!
I totally agree with you!!
In fact, our local second hand stores are more expensive than what I can buy brand new clothes for on clearance from local stores!
Kohl's is a favorite of mine - I have gotten great - stylish!- clothes for 90% off, for myself, my husband, my baby and to use as gifts. I have been given the Sr discount (on Tuesdays!) before by generous cashiers because, as they've told me, "we aren't required to check for ID" (I am 22!)
Sears occasionally has their clearance marked an additional 75% off (and it's already about 60% off... so uh, you do the math ;)
Pac Sun has had stuff for 90% off too. GREAT deals!!
I love Ross, Marshall's and TJ Max too :)
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